The following regulations apply to any person who is enrolled as a Merit University (MU) student. These rules are not to be interpreted as all–inclusive of situations in which discipline will be invoked. These rules are illustrative, and the university reserves the right to take disciplinary action in appropriate circumstances not set out in this catalog. The university reserves the right to exclude at any time students whose conduct is deemed undesirable or prejudicial to the university community’s best interest.
The disciplinary procedure described herein affords procedural fairness to the accused student and flexibility to the administration to sanctions based on the individual circumstances of each case. Students accused of improper conduct shall be given adequate notice of the charges and an opportunity to respond to the charges made against them. Where a student is disciplined for improper conduct, the student may submit a grievance with regard to the decision in accordance with the university’s Grievance Policy, which can be obtained from the Dean’s Office. While disciplinary action against a student is pending, the student poses a significant threat to the university community. The disciplinary action taken may be reflected in the student’s permanent record, as part of the disciplinary punishment. Behavior resulting in disciplinary action may involve, but is not limited to, one or a combination of those listed below:
The disciplinary procedure described herein affords procedural fairness to the accused student and flexibility to the administration of sanctions based on the individual circumstances of each case. Students accused of improper conduct shall be given adequate notice of the charges and an opportunity to present their case to an impartial appeals committee. Written notice of the specific charge(s) made against a student shall be given at least ten days before the student is to appear before the committee. While disciplinary action against a student is pending, the student’s status does not change unless it is found that the student poses a significant threat to the university community. Hearings are private. The accused student is afforded the opportunity to rebut all charges. The university establishes the charges by a preponderance of evidence. The student has the right to appeal the disciplinary action to the Dean of Academic Affairs, but only on the grounds that fair procedure was not followed by the committee or that the evidence in the record does not justify the decision or the sanction. A record will be kept of the disciplinary action taken, and the basis for this decision. The disciplinary action taken may be reflected in the student’s permanent record, as part of the disciplinary punishment. Disciplinary action invoked by the committee may involve, but is not limited to, one or a combination of the alternatives listed below:
Dismissal: Separation of the student from the university on a permanent basis.
Suspension: Separation of the student from the university for a specified length of time.
Probation: Status of the student indicating that the relationship with the university is tenuous and that the student’s record will be reviewed periodically to determine suitability to remain enrolled. Specific limitations and restrictions on the student’s privileges may accompany probation.
Students dismissed from the university for disciplinary reasons must exclude themselves from university classes, activities, facilities, and buildings. Any exception must be approved by the President. Students found culpable of any of the foregoing violations will be subject to disciplinary action. A student who is dismissed may reapply for admission after two quarter’s leave. When a student receives a written dismissal notice from school after instruction has begun, the student will receive a pro-rata refund for the unused portion of the tuition and other refundable charges if the student has completed 60% or less of the program.
Students who have not fulfilled their financial obligation to the university are in violation of the university contract. Said students may be denied the right to graduate, take examinations, receive degrees, and obtain or request transcripts of their grades.
For students to remain in good standing at the university, they must:
Cheating: The act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for work by use of dishonest, deceptive, or fraudulent means.
Plagiarism: The act of taking ideas, words, or specific substances of another and offering them as one’s own.
One or more of the following actions are available to any faculty member who suspects a student of cheating or plagiarizing. The choice of action taken is guided by the extent to which the faculty member considers the cheating or plagiarism reflective of the student’s lack of scholarship or lack of academic performance in the course.
Students accused of cheating or plagiarism are entitled to and may petition for due process.
Re-admission of dismissed students can be granted only after they file a petition with the Dean of Academic Affairs and have been on leave for two quarters. Students readmitted after dismissals are placed on academic probation for the immediate quarter following re-admission.
Refer to Satisfactory Academic Progress Policies, for other conditions which apply students.
Students not conforming to university standards are subject to probation, suspension, or dismissal from the university. Faculty members may initiate proceedings through the Dean of Academic Affairs, who will refer the matter to the administrators for a final decision.
Students who feel they have been treated unfairly may petition a grievance review through the Dean of Academic Affairs.
Faculty members encountering unruly and unmannerly conduct in class will report such instances to the appropriate director or Dean of Academic Affairs for appropriate action. Examples of unacceptable conduct requiring non-academic disciplinary action are as follows:
Students found culpable of any of the foregoing violations will be subject to disciplinary action. A student who is dismissed may reapply for admission after two quarters’ leave.
Students who have not fulfilled their financial obligation to the university are in violation of the university contract. Said students may be denied the right to graduate, take examinations, receive degrees, and obtain or request for transmission transcripts of their grades.